KEVIN PIETERSEN has been rested for England’s one-day and Twenty20 tour of New Zealand in February to keep him fresh ahead of a gruelling 18 months of international cricket.

KEVIN PIETERSEN has been rested for England’s one-day and Twenty20 tour of New Zealand in February to keep him fresh ahead of a gruelling 18 months of international cricket.

The batsman was included in the 50-over party for the five-match series in India next month following his successful ’reintegration’ into the national set-up, but will not head to New Zealand as selectors look to manage the workload of key players.

The 32-year-old also missed the recently-concluded Twenty20 series in India.

Pietersen faces a hectic schedule over the next year and a half, with England due to play 15 Tests, including home and away Ashes series, embark on a one-day tour the West Indies, on top of the India and New Zealand series, compete in a home Champions Trophy and bid to win the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh. Added to that is the Indian Premier League, which starts in April.

With Pietersen absent, James Anderson, Jonathan Trott and Graeme Swann have returned to the 14-man one-day squad after being rested for the India series.

National selector Geoff Miller said: “Following on from the ODI tour to India the tour to New Zealand will require players to adapt to different conditions and will prove a real challenge for the squad as we look to continue the progress we have made in limited overs cricket recently.

“There are a number of players who we have decided not to select for parts of the competitive programme this winter as we look to manage their workloads effectively while ensuring we remain competitive across all formats.

“We feel this is the best way of keeping players as physically and mentally fresh as possible during a demanding 2013 and beyond.

“Kevin Pietersen will miss the limited overs tour of New Zealand with Graeme Swann missing the T20 leg of the tour.

“This approach also provides an opportunity for talented young players to gain more international experience which will be important for their development and the development of England sides in the future.”

England’s three-match ODI series begins on February 17 in Hamilton.

The 14-man T20 squad features two changes from the party selected for the recent series against India with Stuart Broad returning from a heel injury to captain the side and quick Steven Finn also back in the fold.

The England and Wales Cricket Board also announced a 15-man England Lions squad for the limited overs tour of Australia in February which will be captained by Joe Root, who made his Test debut earlier this month against India.

Miller added: “The tour of Australia will provide a tough test for this Lions squad and it will present an opportunity for the players to show us that they are capable of representing England at ODI level in the future.

“Australia is the venue for the 2015 ICC World Cup, along with New Zealand, so we hope this will help us identify potential players that could go on to be a part of the 2015 World Cup squad.”